Ratan Naval Tata, a leading figure in Indian industry and chairman emeritus of the Tata Group, died late Wednesday evening at the age of 86. He was undergoing treatment for a long-term illness at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai in the days leading up to his death. .

With his demise, an important question arises: who will take over the reins of the massive Rs 30 lakh crore Tata Group? Ratan Tata’s absence leaves a void, and the question of succession is more important than ever as he had no children of his own.

Currently, the leadership of the Tata Group is in the hands of N Chandrasekaran, who has been chairman of Tata Sons since 2017. Previously, Chandrasekaran was CEO of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), where he played a key role in its global expansion and growth. His calm, efficient management style has won him much praise and he has led the group through significant challenges in recent years. Many see him as the stable force at the top of the conglomerate.

However, discussions over the future leadership of the Tata Group are ongoing, and several key figures are seen as potential successors.

Noel Tata – The leading contender

Among those vying for leadership is Noel Tata, Ratan Tata’s half-brother. Noel, Naval Tata’s son from his second marriage, has been involved in various parts of the Tata Group over the years. He is seen as a strong candidate to take on a bigger leadership role after Ratan Tata’s death.

Noel currently holds key positions within the group and is known for his involvement with Trent, Tata’s retail arm, which he has helped grow into a successful business. Although he has always kept a low profile compared to his half-brother, Noel Tata’s experience and familiarity with the company make him a credible option for future leadership.

Next generation: Leah, Maya and Neville Tata

The spotlight is also on Noel Tata’s children, who represent the next generation of leaders within the Tata family.

Leah Tata, the eldest, has a master’s degree in marketing from IE Business School in Madrid and joined the Tata Group in 2006. She is currently vice president at The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), the group’s hospitality arm, and has steadily made a name for herself within the company.

Maya Tata, the middle child, started her career at Tata Capital, where she worked as an analyst. She is slowly rising through the ranks and is expected to play a bigger role in the future.

Neville Tata, the youngest of the three, started his career at Trent, the retail company his father helped build. With Neville’s close ties to the group’s retail sector, Neville’s future within the company is also being closely watched by industry observers.

The legacy of Ratan Tata

Ratan Tata took over the reins of Tata Sons in 1991, after JRD Tata, and during his time as chairman the group expanded its reach globally. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) went public under his leadership and Tata Motors made the bold move to acquire the luxury car brands Jaguar and Land Rover. He was also instrumental in bringing Tata Group’s ethical business standards to the fore.

Although he officially stepped down as chairman in 2012, he continued to serve as chairman emeritus of Tata Sons, providing leadership and oversight as needed. His work through the Tata Trusts, which are involved in many philanthropic initiatives, particularly in the areas of healthcare and education, earned him immense respect.

It is unlikely that TCS will hold a press conference

The impact of Ratan Tata’s death was immediately felt within the Tata Group. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) was scheduled to announce its results for the second quarter of the fiscal year after market hours today. A press conference was planned for later in the evening, but given the bleak situation it is unlikely to take place.

The board was also expected to discuss a second interim dividend for the 2024-2025 financial year, although the company did not make public any updates on any delays at that meeting.